4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and Engaging

D.M. · November 12, 2024

William Henry Harrison is known as the United State President with the shortest term in office—only about a month. Thus, this biography does not cover his presidency, since he didn’t have time to do anything. Rather, it looks at how Harrison—working as a court clerk when he was elected to the presidency—followed a rather mediocre career to the highest office in the United States. The book also highlights the presidential campaign of 1840 and shows that the extreme partisanship, outlandish claims, and electorate angry at incumbents is nothing new in American politics.The author has an easy-to-read style flavoured with a touch of humour. The book is not filled with deep scholarly analyses and historical assessment. It successfully achieves its intent—to introduce the reader to an oft-forgotten president and his 1840 campaign that in some ways feels sadly modern.

5.0 out of 5 stars The shortest presidency

S.M.M. · September 19, 2016

I have embarked on an intellectual/historical trek that involves reading every US Presidential biography. Thus far, I have read:Ron Chernow’s WASHINGTON: A LIFEDavid McCullough’s JOHN ADAMSJon Meacham’s THOMAS JEFFERSON: THE ART OF POWERDuane Ostler’s JAMES MADISON: AMERICAN PROPHET.Harlow Giles Unger’s THE LAST FOUNDING FATHER: JAMES MONROE AND A NATION’S CALL TO GREATNESSHarlow Giles Unger’s JOHN QUINCY ADAMSH.W. Brands' ANDREW JACKSON: His Life and Times.Ted Widmer’s MARTIN VAN BUREN.Gail Collins’ WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.Currently, I have begun Edward P. Crapol’s JOHN TYLER: THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT.Like Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison is noted in Michael J. Gerhardt’s THE FORGOTTEN PRESIDENTS: THEIR UNTOLD CONSTITUTIONAL LEGACY*. Harrison is the best example of a president who accomplished little during his presidency. He, of course, died in office after serving only one month. During that month, he was not a well person and apparently, the physicians made him worse. If Harrison had late 20th century medical technology, he would have been able to complete at least one term in office.The book has nothing to offer in providing the reader insight into the office of the presidency. This is understandable. I must say that Collins does a fantastic job in describing the electoral process. Harrison’s run for office represents the worse dirty politicking in American history up to that point. Collins points out that the violence and drunkenness associated with the campaigning left women with no desire to gain the right to vote. It was a bad time: MUCH worse than the campaigning during the Trump/Clinton election.Overall, the book offered grand insight into the influence Harrison’s campaigning process had on future elections.*This is a book I strongly recommend everyone to read.

3.0 out of 5 stars One of our little known presidents.

K.M.Q. · February 10, 2012

I have read most of these short biographies. This is an average read on this enjoyable series. I have not read this author Gail Collins before. This is my first book written by her. I enjoyed her writing style, but is not especially great or compelling.William Henry was not a great president, and probably would not have if he had lived. He was brave and knowledgeable, but he lacked vision and a compelling reason to rule. His basic reason for seeking higher office was to provide for his large family of children and wife.Although William Henry was not a great president, and certainly did not embrace any huge changes, he was honest and open minded. He might not have been a great president, but he certainly was a friendly and approachable man.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good But Short Biography

K.C. · October 22, 2018

WH Harrison being maybe the most non-descript President in the history of the USA has one of the shortest biographies of a President I have read. Yes he only served 31 days as President. He was sick in all of those days having worn himself out campaigning and then giving a three hour speech in the rain and cold at his inauguration. He deserved more that what he got in this book. He was a distinguished military man who served his country very admirably for many years. He was one the first to go on the road and campaign for the Presidency. He did this to show he was not too old to be President. Even though he was very old for the times at 67. I found in this short biography an interesting man who intended to do what he thought best for the country. The publisher that commissioned this series on the Presidents were wanting just brief biographies. For ones like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln etc.... this would be fine as there are many other books written to find out everything we can about their lives. But these Presidents that fell between Jackson and Lincoln have every little written about them. There should be something done to rectify this and to bring out the total in person about each of these Presidents. This book overall was well written. The writer had an interesting angle to want to write this book as her father had help tear down Harrison's North Bend home many years ago. There were many good and interesting things brought out about him. But just not enough and left you wanting more. Maybe someday some others will write full blown biographies on Harrison and one that followed him up to Lincoln.

5.0 out of 5 stars conversational tone is easy to read and makes the book quite enjoyable

W.S. · January 13, 2016

Although President Harrison is known for being the "31-day President", Gail Collins takes you back to his life as a child and how he made it to the presidency. Gail's light, conversational tone is easy to read and makes the book quite enjoyable. She captures many of Harrison's successes and his failures. Great book to read on this somewhat unknown President.

William Henry Harrison

R.T.H. · April 20, 2024

very informative